Auburn Township (part 3 of 3)

Oliver W. Ludlow, son of Francis Ludlow, was born in Seneca, Cayuga county, New York, in 1800, and moved with his parents to Westfield, New York, in 1807. At the age of nineteen, with a few shillings in his pocket, he started on foot for Painesville, Ohio, and there engaged in teaching. In 1822 he went to Burton, Ohio, where, he taught school with good success until 1824, where he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Goodwin. In 1825 he went to Chardon, Ohio, where he continued his medical studies with Dr. Denton; also taught school there with much credit to himself. In 1827 he married Miss Harriet Metcalf, of that place. They had eight children - Maria A., Linaeus C., Benjamin F., Washington I., Lycurgus, Louisa M., Harriet E. and Oliver E. In the fall of 1829 he went to New York to attend the New York Medical college; during the winter of 1830 he went to Geneva and taught school in order to defray his expenses through college. August 17, 1830, he received his diploma from the New York Medical academy. That fall he returned to Chardon and moved his family to Newbury, Ohio. In 1831 he began the practice of medicine in that and surrounding townships. In 1838 he moved to Auburn corners, where he practiced medicine until his death, which occurred in 1865. He died very suddenly, after having visited several patients on the day of his death. The cause of his death was a rupture of the left ventricle of the heart. Dr. Ludlow, during the last thirty years of his life, was not a religious man, in the ordinary sense; he believed in humanity, a common brotherhood and friendship for the stranger; he believed in less creeds and formalities, and in mere acts of benevolence, and bis life was a testimony of the sincerity of his belief. He was very benevolent, often taking provision and clothing from his own home to supply the wants of the poor, and in several cases has given doctor's bills as high as sixty dollars, and furnished money to move poor families to western lands. Deeply interested in education, he was ever stirring to introduce modern improvements into the common schools, and when people were so indifferent to new books, he was often heard to say, "that he was one hundred years in advance of his time." Astronomy was a favorite study of his, and he lectured on that subject several years. As a physician, he was very successful. His prAfessional labors were very arduous, seldom a day passing without finding him giving faithful attendance to the duties of his profession. A close student, when not on duty he was absorbed in study. Literally, he gave his life to humanity, and totally ignored self. The community mourned his loss, and, in testimoney of their respect, erected a monument to his memory, in the cemetery at Auburn Corners. Mrs. Ludlow, wife of the Doctor, was one of the best of women, and was highly respected by every one that knew her. She survived him a number of years, and, after a lingering disease of cancer in the stomach, death came to her relief. She died in 1870.

Linaeus C., eldest son of Dr. Oliver W. Ludlow, was born in Newbury, Ohio, came to Auburn with his parents, and in 1857 he married Helen A. Stafford, daughter of Charles Stafford, and they have six children - Wallace, Arthur, May; Linaeus C., Irving, and Helen. Mr. Ludlow resided in Auburn a short time after his marriage, and was then elected to the office of county recorder, two or three terms, and then moved to Cleveland, where he now resides. Benjamin F., second son, was born in Newbury; came to Auburn with his parents, and in 1862 married Delia Messenger, and they have three children - Louis E., Clement O., and Oliver L. Mr. Ludlow resides on the old homestead where his father and mother both died. Washington I. was born in Newbury, and is, by profession, an inventor, and has obtained over twenty patents of his own inventions. He is probably one of the most successful inventors in the State. Mr. Ludlow is unmarried, and consequently has no particular abiding place; comes to the old homestead, in Auburn, occasionally, but spends the most of his time at other points. Lycurgus married in Cleveland several years since, and now resides in that city. Maria A., eldest daughter, married Ranson P. Hodges, and they have several children, but we do not know their names. They now reside in Cleveland, Ohio. Louisa M., second daughter, is unmarried, and also resides in Cleveland. Harriet E., third 'daughter, married William H. Reed, of Newbury. They have several children, but we do not know their names. They now reside in Burton, Ohio, and Mr. Reed is engaged in carrying mail.

Oliver E. Ludlow was born in Auburn; was married in 1876 to Eliza Richards, daughter of Gilbert A. Richards, and they have one son - Hoyt. They now reside on the farm formerly owned by Lorin Snow.

Archibald Hazlett was born in Pennsylvania, and was married in 1817 to Margaret Kennedy. They had four children - Ann, Sarah, Thomas and James. Mr. Hazlett came to Auhurn, with his family, in 1837, and settled in the south part of the towmship, on the Atwater tract, where he lived a few years, then sold out and purchased land in the southwest part of the township, on lot twenty-five, Atwater tract, where he nowr resides. Mrs. Hazlett died several years since.

James came to Auburn with his parents, and in 1850 was married to Susan Line, and they had six children - Martha M., Minn, Emma, George, Frank and Ida Bell, Mr, Hazlett, soon after his marriage, purchased the farm where Han- nah Dodge now resides, lived there a short time, and sold out to Hannah Canfield, and lived in different places until 1855, when he purchased a farm of William Arnold, and others, on the east line of the township; cleared up his farm, put up good buildings, and died in 1872. His widow now resides at Auburn corners.

Robert McBay was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Auburn in 1832; went west and married, lost his wife, and returned to Auburn several years since, where he now resides. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade.

John and David Robinson, brothers, came to Auburn in 1837. They were shoemakers by trade, and commenced business at the corners, at Barnes and Harrington's old store. The same building is now owned by Thomas B. Hoard, and used for a blacksmith shop. It then stood on the northeast corner. John, we believe, was married before he came to the corners. His wife's name was Mary, daughter of Joseph Bartholomew. David, soon after, was married to Betsey Wilber. John built the house now o\^ned by Daniel R. Bray. These brothers carried on business together several years. John, alter a few years, removed to Chagrin Falls, and, probably, now resides in Russell. David continued business for a few years after his brother left, but finally gave that up and engaged in the furnace business with Charles Stafford. They also manufactured plows quite extensively for a few years, and then engaged in the mercantile business, in the old red store. They carried on that business a year or two, and then dissolved partnership. About this time Mr. Robinson lost his wife. While he was engaged with his brother in shoe-making, and with Stafford in the furnace and plow business, he resided north of the corners, on the place now owned by Dr. B. F. Ray, but at the time his wife died, he owned and resided in the place now owned by Mrs. W. N. White. Mr. Robinson married his second wife while living at the corners, and soon after sold out and purchased a farm in Russell, about one mile northeast of Chagrin Falls, and now resides at that place.

Henry Capron came from New York to Auburn in an early day, and about 1838 married Laura Brown. They had three children - Sabina, Louisa, and Julia. Mr. Capron purchased land one mile north of Brown's corners, where he built him a nice house and out-buildings, and remained until his death, which occurred in 1866. His wife died a few years since.

Almon Lamb was born in New York; came to Mantua, Ohio, in an early day; came to Auburn in 1839, and purchased land in lot thirty-five, on the Atwater tract; was married in 1844 to Sophia Pierce. They have two children - Malinda and Wallace A. Mr. Lamb resides on the south township line road, and on the north and south center road, and his son, Wallace A., is unmarried and resides with him. Several years since Almon Lamb had a severe attack of small-pox, which made a great excitement in the township. Mrs. Lamb died in 1879.

Adorno Blood was born in Massachusetts; married Maryett Dormon, and had four children - Emily O., Clark, Adorno, jr., and Elsipher. Mr. Blood came to Auburn about 1840, and engaged in manufacturing rakes, and carried on that business first in the southern part of the township, at a saw-mill, built in an early day by the Pinney Brothers, on a stream known as Black brook; from there he moved to the west part of the township, and started a rake factory at the saw-mill built by one Harvis, known afterwards as Barney's mill, where he manufactured rakes a few years, then turned his attention to farming. Mr. Blood lost his first wife several years since; married again, and now resides at Pope's corners, in Troy.

William Green came from England. He was married about 1840 to Sarah Marshall, and they had seven children - Thomas, William, Lavina, Odessa,

Emma, Frank, and Burt. Mr. Green came to Auburn about 1843, and resided in different parts of the township until the war of the Rebellion. In 1864 he enlisted in the service, and served until the close of the war. Soon after, he removed to Michigan with his family, where he died in 1874. His family (except his son William), still reside in that State. William Green, jr., was bom in Aurora, Ohio. He was married in 1875 to Maria Clatworthey. They now reside at the center of Auburn.

Ebenezer Wicks was born in Massachusetts, and was married in 1830 to Arista Maynard, daughter of Moses Maynard. They had four children - Ebenezer J., Celia, Lewis A., and Henry. Mr. Wicks was a blacksmith by trade, came to Auburn with his family in 1840, and settled in the north part of the township, built a shop, and commenced manufacturing axes and other edged tools, but soon after went to Auburn valley, and engaged in the furnace business, in company with Ashley Crafts. He worked there a few years at his trade and the furnace business together ; then went back to his home where he first settled, was taken with the rheumatism, and after four years of intense suffering, two of which he was entirely helpless, he died in 1854. His widow is still living and resides with her children.

Ebenezer J., son of Ebenezer Wicks, was born in Massachusetts, came to Auburn with his parents in 1840, and in 1857 was married to Rebecca Crosby, daughter of Julius Crosby, of Troy. They have three children - Oliver L., Bert, and Elbertine. Mr. Wicks resides on the old homestead where his father died. Ebenezer J. is a carpenter and joiner by trade. Lewis A. came to Auburn with his parents, and in 1858 married Celestine Pettengill. They have a family of four children - Clarence E., Clara B., Estelle C., and Francis E. Mr. Wicks is a blacksmith by trade, and his residence is at the center, though he spends most of his time in Cleveland shoeing race horses. Henry, third son of Ebenezer Wicks, was born in Massachusetts, and was married several years since. He now resides in Ashtabula county, Ohio.

Rodolphus Odell was born in the State of New York, married Amy Akin in 1835, and came to Auburn in 1843. They had six children - Henry C, Hiram L., Horace G., David W., Hannah F., and Mary C. Mr. Odell is a cooper by trade, and worked at that business for several years after arriving in Auburn, until his health began to fail, when he turned his attention to farming, and now resides in the southwest part of the township. Henry C. married a Miss Mansfield, and resided in Auburn several years, when he sold his farm and moved to Wisconsin, where they now reside. Hiram L. married Amelia Colvin, daughter of Abner Colvin, and they have two children. They now reside in Mantua. Horace G. is married, and resides in Michigan. David W., fourth son, maried in Burton, and now resides in some western State.

George A. Peabody was married in 1833 to Ann Spencer, and they came to Auburn in 1847, from Rhode Island. They have eight children - Ann E., Sally B., Mary S., Martha B., Rebecca W., Charles F., George E., and Henry U Mr. Peabody purchased his land of Alfred Thompson, on the east and west center road, a short distance west of where the diagonal road branches off from the center road, in the direction of Chagrin Falls ; built a house and blacksmith shop, working at that trade, and resided there several years; then sold out to his son-in-law, John Fish, M. D., and moved a short distance farther east, where he now resides, and has worked at blacksmithing ever since he has lived in Auburn. Mr. Peabody was appointed postmaster in 1849, and served in that capacity eighteen years. The office was known as Bridge Creek. After the railroads were established and mail routes changed, this office became worthless, and Mr. Peabody notified the department of the fact, and the office was discontinued.

James Pickering came from England to Bainbridge, Ohio, and married Miranda M. Goddard in 1846, and soon after came to Auburn. They had five children - Emma M., Melissa A., Julia E., Ada M., and Lina R. Mr. Pickering is all music, and his children partake largely of his musical qualities, which makes his home pleasant and enjoyable. He now resides in the northwest part of the township, on the farm owned in an early day by Elihu Gorham.

Zeb Dial Mott, son of Elihu Mott, was born in the State of New York, and came to Ohio, with his parents, in 1816. In 1838 he was married to Sophia, daughter of Israel Whitcomb. Mr. Whitcomb and Elihu Mott were among the first settlers of Troy, at that time called Welshfield. Z. D. Mott moved from Troy to Auburn in 1848, and settled on the east town line road. They had two children - Caroline and Jennette. After a few' years he sold his farm on that road, and bought one in the west part of the towm on the east and west center road, owned by heirs of Walter McLouth. In 1874 he and his wife went to Missouri to visit a married daughter living in that State, and while there Mr. Mott was taken sick and died, quite suddenly. His wife returned to Auburn immediately, with his remains, which were buried in the cemetery at Auburn comers.

Milton Zweifel came to Auburn in i860, and was married the same year to Caroline, daughter of Zeb Dial Mott, and they have one son - George. He owned the east half of the McLouth farm, and lived with his father-in-law' until his death; then he purchased the balance of the farm of the heirs, and now resides on the place, and his mother-in-law' resides with him. Jennette married Merritt, son of Charles O. Dutton, as mentioned in the record of the Dutton family.

Parker Howland was from New York, and there married Eliza Ann Mix. They have only one child now living - Lucy Ann. He came to Troy in 1837, andm 1850 came to Auburn, and settled in the southwest part, on the Atwater tract, where he now resides. About 1834, a man by the name of Johnson, occupied the same farm, and his dwelling-house took fire, and twro of his children perished in the flames.

John Thomas came from the State of New York to Streetsboro, w'ith his parents, and in 1852 came to Auburn, and married Lucy Ann, daughter of Parker Howland. They had three children - Fred \V., Floretta M., and Mary

E. Mr. Thomas has lived in different parts of the township, and during the war of the Rebellion he enlisted, and did good service for his country ; he died in 1878, after a lingering illness. His widow and children still reside in the township.

Tyler W. Wing came from Vermont, and was married, in 1815, to Martha Rogers. They had seven children - Henry R., Emeline O., Martha M., John

F. , Benjamin A., Alexander T. and Martha E. During the war 1812, they lived near Plattsburg, New York, and Mrs. Wing remembers hearing the guns -when the battle was fought at that place, and recollects seeing Generals Me- Comb, Scott, Wilkinson, Hampton, and several other officers of less note. They moved to Streetsboro, in an early day ; came from there to Auburn in 1830, and settled on the first north and south road west of the center. Mr. Wing died in 1874; he and his wrife having lived together fifty-nine years.

Alexander T. came to Ohio with his father ; married in Streetsboro, and lost his wife. Came to Auburn, in 1856, and was married, in 1859, to Frances L. Stafford, daughter of Joshua and Lucretia Stafford. They have had four children, only two of whom are now living - Willie S. and Ella E. Mr. Wing purchased his father's farm several years since, and now resides where his father lived and died. His mother is still living, and resides with him.

and was married, in 1841, to Hannah P. Canfield, daughter of Henry Canfield They had six children - Henry B., Julius H., Hiram M., Martin E., Rosa R.v and Lillian J. Henry B. died when about twenty-one years of age. Mr. Dodge settled permanently in Auburn, in 1851, on the first east and west road from the south line of the township, on the north and south center road ; worked at his trade more or less for several years, and worked a gang of hands on the Cleveland and Mahoning railroad, while that road was being built. If we remember correctly, he made one trip to Idaho in the interests of a mining company. On his return home he turned his attention principally to farming, and died in 1878. His widow and youngest danghter now reside on the old homestead, where he died.

Julius H. was born in Mantua, Ohio; came to Auburn with his parents, and was married, in 1868, to Ella M. Rice, daughter of Edward C. Rice. They had one child - Frank H. Mr. Dodge resides on the diagonal road, in the southwest corner of the township, on the farm formerly owned by William Watterman. Mrs. Dodge died, of typhoid fever, in November, 1878, after a lingering illness.

Hiram M. was born in Auburn, and was married, about 1869, to Orra E. (Canfield) Beeler. After his marriage he resided in Auburn until the fall of 1876, when he moved to Kansas, and now resides in that State.

Martin E. was bom in Auburn. By industry and perseverance he obtained a good education; taught several district and graded schools, and some four years since turned his attention to the study of law, and in a short time was admitted to the bar, and is now one of the most promising young lawyers of the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

Rose R. was born in Auburn ; was married, some two years since, to Dr. John M. Crafts, of Mantua, and they have one child. They now reside at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

John Mayhew came from New York to Ohio about 1833, and married Elizabeth Sloan, of Bainbridge. Soon after their marriage they located at Bainbridge,. doing a mercantile business at that place several years. They had two sons - Monroe and George W. Mrs. Mayhew died in 1839. Mr. Mayhew, about 1840, went back to the State of New York and married Roxey Martin, and soon after sold out at the center and moved to Chagrin Falls, and continued in the mercantile business for a time, where he and Bliss carried on the milling and mercantile business together about three years. By the second wife he had four children - Mary, Austin, Henry, and John. The two oldest died at that place. Mrs. Mayhew also died there about 1848. He soon after married Judith Martin, sister of the second wife; sold out at the Falls and moved to the center of Troy, where he built another store, and sold goods at that place until 1852. In the fall of 1851 he purchased a store at Auburn corners, from Henry Harrington; moved there, and in the spring of 1852 moved over the balance of his goods to that place. In 1852 he built the dwelling house now owned by Mrs. Lucina Burnett, having previously purchased the land from Edward Crafts. By this^ last wife he had two children, a daughter and son - Mary J. and William M. He sold out his goods to Boswith and Parkman, and discontinued the business. His health continued to fail and he died in 1864. His widow married Gardner A. Fobes, and now resides in the State of New York. Mr. Mayhew was postmaster several years, and his son, George W., was his successor.

Monroe, eldest son of John Mayhew, died in Auburn in 1874. George W. married Louisa, daughter of Charles Stafford. They have four children - Florence H., Maud M., Mary O., and William J. Soon after their marriage Mr. Mayhew engaged in the mercantile business, in the store then owned by his father, and continued in that business until 1874. He left Auburn in 1875, and now resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Henry H. went into some western State; married.

and died in Detroit, Michigan, in 1874. John VV. married Hannah, daughter of Tyrus Canfield, and they have two children - Maggie M. and Mary. They now reside in Auburn. Mary J. married Aristus A. Kingsbury, and they had three children - John H., Brayton, and Lucy A. Brayton died in 1879. They now reside at Chagrin Falls, Ohio. William M. married Ella Green, of New' Lisbon, Ohio, in 1877. They have one son - Ira W. They now reside in Bryan, Ohio.

Homer Frost was born in Mantua, and in 1852 was married to Mary E. Hickox, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Hickox, of Newbury, and they had three children - John B., Lida C, and William. The latter died young. Mr. Frost came to Auburn in 1852, and purchased the saw-mill property of Mott and Mason, and now resides at that place. John B., son of Homer Frost, was born in Mantua, came to Auburn with his parents, and in 1876 married Ella Mc- Clintock, daughter of William McClintock. They have one child, and now reside in Mantua. Lida, only daughter, is unmarried, and lives at home with her parents.

Charles R. Almy was born in Connecticut, and was married in 1822 to Rebecca Dorrence, and they had five children - Mary Ann, Jane, George, Maria, and Jonas R. Mr. Almy came to Mantua in an early day, and moved from there to Auburn in 1852; settled on the south line of the township, and died there in 1878. His widow still survives him.

Jonas R. Almy, son of Charles R. and Rebecca Almv, came to Auburn with his father from Mantua, in 1852; was married several years since, and has two* children - Cora and Charles I). Mr. Almy resides on the old homestead, and his mother lives with him

John King moved from Mantua into Auburn in 1852, and purchased a farm on the State road, south of the corners, of Rufus Pope, it being the farm where Charles Crocker now resides. Mr. King had a family, and one night while he was away from home, his house took fire from some hot ashes that had been thrown down in the wood-house (as was supposed), and burned to the ground. Two children that were asleep in the chamber could not be rescued, and consequently perished in the flames. Mr. King soon after sold out, and we believe returned to Mantua.

James Thomas was bom in the State of New York in 1816. In 1829, at the age of thirteen years, he came to Streetsboro, Ohio, with his parents, lived there a number of years and helped to clear up their farm. He worked at his trade, which was that of a carpenter, until his health failed, and by the advice of his physician he commenced driving stage, and followed that business two years. In 1848 Mr. Thomas was married to Maria L. Smith, of Ashtabula county. He came to Auburn in 1852 and purchased of one Joshua Russell, a partially improved farm in the Atwater tract, and has lived on that place since 1852. This land is said to be the first that was taken up on that tract, and was purchased by Daniel Butts. A house built by his brother Shaderath, was the first built on the tract. Mr. Thomas and wife have two children - Osman J. and Frank E. He finished clearing up his land several years since, has put up good buildings, and now in their declining years himself and wife are enjoying the benefits of their industry.

Osman J., eldest son of James and Maria L. Thomas, was married in 1874 to Sarah Murphy, of Ashtabula county, Ohio. They have one child - Orville B. They now reside in Mantua, Ohio. Frank E. resides with his parents and

Cyrus Rice came from New York to Mantua in 1822 ; was married in 1832 to Sarah Nooney, daughter of Hezekiah Nooney, who was among the first settlers of Mantua. They had five children - Henrietta, Sylvester C, Harrison H.,

Cynthia A., and Austin C. Cyrus came to Auburn with his family in 1853, and purchased a farm of Chester Reed, on the State road, south of the corners, where he now lives. Henrietta married and lives in Michigan. Sylvester married some years since, and has two children ; he now resides in Hiram, Ohio. Harrison H. married Julia Messenger, and resides in Missouri. Cynthia A married Daniel Dean, and now resides in Auburn. Austin C., youngest son of Cyrus Rice, married Laura E. Foster, daughter of William Foster, of Mantua, and they have one child - Ella May. Austin resides with his father, and carries on the farm.

Zeno K. Eggleston was born in Aurora, and is son of Chauncey Eggleston, who was one of the first settlers of that township. Zeno K. was married in 1853 to Olivia May, daughter of Jude May, and they have five children - May, Arthur, Addie, Ernest, and Claude. May and Arthur died young. Mr. Eggleston purchased a farm of his father, a short distance west of his father-in-law's, which consisted of the farm formerly owned by Arnold Harrington, which was on the Root tract, and also purchased the famous Eggleston sugar camp, being on lot sixteen, Atwater tract, known as the most extensive sugar camp in the State, not only for the number of trees it contained, which, if we remember correctly, was between three and four thousand, but for the quantity and quality of the sugar manufactured there. Chauncey Eggleston, or General Eggleston, as he was more familiarly known, purchased this land in an early day and opened up this extensive sugar camp, and continued to make sugar there until he sold out to his son. The General was the inventor of the plan of hanging up the bucket on the spout to catch the sap, which plan has become general throughout the township, thereby saving all the sap that runs. Zeno K. run this farm and sugar camp successfully until about 1869, when he rented his farm, moved to Chagrin Falls, and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Eggleston sold this farm in 1874, and has become a permanent resident of the Falls, and we learn is one of its most popular and successful merchants.

Edwin Knight came to America in 1852, and was married in Bainbridge the same year, to Mary Marshall. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Knight came to Auburn in 1853, and, with the exception of a short time spent in Michigan, have resided here. Mr. Knight enlisted in the Second Ohio heavy artillery in 1864, and did good service for his country until the close of the war of the Rebellion.

Clement Messenger came to Mantua with his parents in 1816. In 1832 he married Pleaides, daughter of William Skinner, who was also one of the first settlers of that township. They had seven children - Sabra, Clara, Ruth, Delia, Mary L., Julia E., and Clements. He came to Auburn in 1854, and purchased a farm of David Smith, jr., one mile north of the corners, and soon after taking possession, his daughter Sabra died, aged twenty-four years. He remained there several years, during which time he purchased one-half of the farm where Willis Woods first settled, built a house there in 1877, and now' resides at that place. Clement, jr., w'as born in Stow', Ohio; he came to Auburn with his parents, and in 1872 married Mary' E., daughter of Oliver P. Hayes, and they have one son - Arthur C. He now resides on the farm w'here his father first settled in 1854.

James Green came to Auburn with his brother William in 1855, and was married in 1857 to Frances, daughter of George W. Antisdale. They have three children - Miranda J., Levi J., and Wallace D. He enlisted in the Second Ohio heavy artillery in 1864, and was in the service until the close of the war of the Rebellion.

Francis W. Hazen was married in 185310 the widow' Pettingill, (wfas Mary E. Harpum). They came from Munson to Auburn in 1855, and purchased the farm formerly owned by Rupert Hall, north of the corners ; lived there a few years and then sold out and went to the corners; purchased a house and lot on the northeast corner, and lived there until the death of Mr. Hazen, in 1865. His widow resides at Auburn center with her daughter, Mrs. Lewis A. Wicks.

Charles Crocker moved from Mantua to Auburn in 1857, and settled on the State road two miles south of the corners; was married in Mantua to Louisa H. Holbrook, and she died, without heirs, in 1864; was married again to Anna M. Hough about 1.866, and they have two children - Eddie A. and Lottie M. Mr. Crocker lives on the farm formerly owned by John Morey.

George Squire was born in Mantua, and is the son of Ezekel and Clara Squire. The father of Mr. Squire was a practicing physician, and his ride extended over Mantua, Russell, Newbury, Chester, Aurora, etc. In 1822 he died, and his wife died in 1852. George was married in 1850 to Mary C. Palmer, daughter of Nathan H. Palmer, who resided in Newbury, in an early day, and was also a practicing physician, whose ride extended over Newbury, Auburn, Welshfield (now Troy), Burton, etc., etc. They have had four children - Alice C., Arthur G., Cora L. and Orris G. Mr. Squire came from Aurora to Auburn, in 1838, and purchased a farm in the northwest part of the township, which was formerly owned by Lyman Brewster, on which he now resides. Alice C, his daughter, is married and resides in Solon. Arthur G. is married and resides in the southwest part of the township. Cora L. and Orris G. are unmarried, and live at home with their parents.

Madison Frost was born in Mantua, and is the son of John Frost, one of the first settlers of that township. Mr. F'rost married Maria Powell, and they have three children - Cynthiana S. M., Luna I., and Henry L. Mr. Frost moved t Auburn in 1859, and purchased a farm on the east and west center road, west of the center, (the farm being owned in an early day by one Thompson), and, by his industry and perseverance, he has added on, piece after piece, until his farm contains over four hundred acres.

Lucius N. Parker, son of Emerson Parker, came to Auburn in 1862, and was married in 1868 to Terestia L. Canfield. They have no children. They have, since 1872, resided in Auburn.

Thomas Thorpe came from Ireland in 1800, and was married in 1836 to Eliza Heron, and they had twelve children, six of whom are now living - Will iam, Frederick, Jennie, Julia, John S. and Edward C. Mr. Thorpe emigrated to Ohio in 1845, and is a carpenter by trade. After working in many places, he came to Parkman. In 1869 he came to Auburn, and now lives with his son William, who owns the mills formerly owned by Jude May.

Adolphus Eggleston ^vas born in Bainbridge. In 1869 he was married to Eliza Robbins, and they came to Auburn the same year, and purchased a farm in the northwest part of the township, formerly owned by Harvey Gilbert, on which they now reside. They have two children - Lena and Frank G.

Edwin Robinson, jr., is the son of Edwin and Almina Robinson, of Newbun and was born in 1838; was married in 1863 to Lola L., daughter of Welcome A. Jenks, of Newbury. They have one child - Harry A. Mr. Robinson came to Auburn in 1868 and settled on the farm formerly owned by Dr. A. B. Hoard, which is now known, under Mr. Robinson's administration, as " The Valley Farm."

John K. Stewrart came from New York to Chagrin Falls in 1861 ; was married in 1862 to Esther A. Lampson, .daughter of Virgin Lampson, of Troy, and they had two children - Freddie O. and Cora M. John K. Stewart came to Auburn in 1868 and purchased a house and lot from Eliza Horton; lived there until 1876, when he sold out and moved to Spring, Pennsylvania. He soon returned to Auburn again and purchased the building at the corners, known a

Gideon L., jr., son of Gideon L. Sprague, came from Massachusetts in 1818; came to Ohio with his parents, and in 1844 was married to Jennett, daughter of George I. Bowler. They had five children - Dwight W., Byron, Julia, Walter, and Mary. Gideon L. Sprague resided in Bainbridge from 1830 to '65, when he sold out there and purchased a farm in Auburn, from Alanson E. Barnes, containing about four hundred acres of land. Mr. Sprague resided on that farm about ten years, and then purchased the farm formerly owned by Hosea Barnes, containing about two hundred acres of land, and now resides on that place. Dwight W. was born in Bainbridge; came to Auburn with his parents in 1865, and in 1872 was married to Lenora Parks, daughter of Edwin Parks. They have one child. Mr. Sprague resides on the farm that his father purchased of Alanson E. Barnes.

John Whitney, son of William Whitney, was born in Massachusetts in 1788; was married, in 1813, to Olive Mason, and they had six children - Eliza A. Phebe P., Luther T., Lydia M., Harriet E., and George W. John Whitney came to Auburn with his family, in 1833, and settled on the Sanford tract. He and his wife died a few years later. There is but one member of the family living in town at present, at the present time, and that is the wife of Cornelius Stafford.

Charles D. Carlton was born in Mantua ; was the son of Dudley Carlton, who was one of the first settlers of that township. Charles D. was married, in 1840, to Deline Reed, and they had four children - Caleb C., Henry C., Lydia L, and Elmer M. Mr. Carlton settled in Mantua, but, in 1863, he sold his farm there, and came to Auburn and rented a farm in Auburn valley, which he subsequently purchased. In a year or two he sold it, and again rented it, and lived there until his death, in 1878.

Caleb C. Carlton was born in Mantua, and came to Auburn with his parents. In 1870, he married Marion E., daughter of * Dudley Fox, and the widow of Abram Crafts. They have one child - Lewis. They now reside at Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

Henry C. Carlton was born in Mantua, and came to Auburn with his parents, and, in 1867, married Lizzie Black. They have one child - Charles J. Henry C. Carlton resides on the same farm where his father died. Lydia L. only daughter of Charles D. Carlton, was married, in 1866, to Henry St. John, and died in 1878. Elmer M. also came to Auburn with his parents, and, in 1874, married Alice, daughter of Reuben Dayton, of Burton, and resides in Newbury.

Benjamin F., son of William and Sophia J. Ray, was born near Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1843; came to Ohio with his parent?, who located in Newburgh. Benjamin F. kept constantly in school, lacking only one year from graduating in the collegeiate course at Baldwin University, Berea. He read medicine under Dr. David G. Stretor, of Bedford, Ohio, and Robert E. Strong, a celebrated surgeon, of Cleveland, Ohio. Next he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and, after finishing a course, immediately entered the army as a private, and in a few weeks was promoted to surgeon, in which capacity he remained until mustered out at the close of the war. In 1865, he commenced the practice of medicine in Warrensville, Ohio, where he remained some six months. In September, 1865, he located at Auburn corners, to attempt the arduous labor of filling the void made vacant by the death of Dr. Oliver W. Ludlow. As to how well he has performed this duty, time must be the arbiter. In 1867, Dr. Ray married Jennie, daughter of David C. and Jane Bacon, of Northfield, Ohio, and they have two daughters - Sophia S., and Jennie G. The doctor graduated at the Cleveland Medical college, class of 1869-70;

Christopher A. Hunt came from New York, where he married Roxana L. Wright, and they had five children - Austin, Sally M., Ina, Asher M., and Ai A He came to Auburn with his family in 1870, and purchased the hotel at the corners, where he now resides.

Morris E. Haskins came from New York. He enlisted in the early part of the war of the Rebellion, was severely wounded, and discharged from the service. He married Sally M. Hunt, and they have two children - Luella and Nellie. Mr. Haskins now resides at Auburn corners.

George P. Sutliff was from Shalorsvilie, and was married in 1870 to Florence K. Hall. They have one child - Emma N. Mr. Sutliff came to Auburn in 1871, and now resides a half mile west, and a half mile north of the corners.

Ransom E. Parker, son of Emerson and Chloe Parker, was born in Bainbridge; was married in 1869 to Cora Brown, came to Auburn in 1871, and lived in different places until 1874, when he purchased the farm near Thorp's mill, known as the John Brown farm, where he now resides. They have one child, a son - Ernest.

Dorrance A. Egbert came from Hudson, Ohio, and in 1872 married Marian Parks, daughter of Lewis Parks, of Burton, and they have three children - Glenn P., Allen N., and Lewis H. Mr. Egbert is a blacksmith by trade, and resides a few rods west of the corners, where he has a shop and works at his trade.

Henry M. Kent was married in 1873 to Nellie M., daughter of John Quinn. He was from Hudson. They have one child - Ray B. Mr. Kent lives on the farm formerly owned by Henry Capron, one mile north of Brown's corners.

Charles W. Stroud was from New York.. When the war broke out in 1861 he was in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and there enlisted in the three months' service, served his time out, was discharged, and came home to Streetsboro, Ohio. In 1862 Mr. Stroud enlisted in the Ninth Ohio battery for three years, or during the war. This battery was in several skirmishes, and in the battles of Franklin and Triune. After the battle of Triune they followed the enemy for several days in succession, performing long and wearisome marches, undergoing great hardships and privations, through all of which he came out safely, and was honorably discharged at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He soon returned home to Streetsboro, and in 1867 married Margaret, daughter of Aaron Meach, of that place. Mr. Stroud is a carpenter and joiner by trade. In 1873 he came to Auburn and settled a short distance north of the corners, where he now resides. They have four children - Bertie C., Herman H., Ervia M., and Raymond R. Mr. Stroud continues to work at his trade in this and adjoining townships.

Benton C. Frost, son of John Frost, one of the first settlers of Mantua, was married in 1871 to Olive P. Gallia, and they have one child - Francis. He came to Auburn in 1873, and purchased a farm of Francis Canfield, one mile horn the south line of the township, it being the same farm owned in an early day by Charles Hinckley, and by him sold to Daniel Washburn, and by Washbum sold to Francis Canfield.

William F. Baike was from Germany, where he learned the tinner's trade. He came to Auburn corners in 1869, and rented a tin-shop of Orvil S. Crain and commenced business for himself. He worked in that shop for two years, and then purchased the school-house, rented a piece of W. N. White at the corners, moved the building ther£ and fitted it up for a shop, and is now carrying on business at that point. In 1879 he purchased a house and lot just south of his shop (being the same formerly owned by Charles Stafford), and married Clara, daughter of William Class, of Akron, Ohio.

S. L. Costlow was from New York. He resided in Bainbridge previous to 1874, and was married about that time to Kate Sweeny; came to Auburn and purchased the farm in the west part of the township, formerly owned by Parsons White. They have two children - Eliza J. and Mary E.

Frank F. Pease came to Auburn in 1874, and in 1876 married Amelia E., daughter of Chardon Ensign, of Middlefield, Ohio. They have no children, and now reside at Auburn corners.

Alfred C. Brintzenhoff came from Pennsylvania, and there learned the trade of harness-making; came to Auburn corners in 1876; worked for Lewis L Webster until the fall of 1877, when he purchased Webster's tools, hired his shop, and commenced business for himself. In 1878 he purchased a shop, and is now' located a short distance north of the corners, and doing a good business. He is a young man and unmarried.

CorrellC. Payne was married in 1876 to Alice C. Wells, and they have no children. He lives on the State road, two miles south of Auburn corners, on the Atwater tract, and owns the land originally taken up by David Eggleston, and was, if we remember correctly, one of the first lots taken up on that tract.

Henry W. Murray came from Pennsylvania. When the first seventy-five thousand men was called for by President Lincoln, in 1861, to put down the Rebellion, Mr. Murray responded, and enlisted for three months; served out his time and was honorabiy discharged. The Rebellion not being put down at that time, and more men being called for, Mr. Murray re-enlisted for three years, and was assigned to the army of the Potomac. He fought under all the generals who commanded that army, up to the latter part of the year 1863. He was in ten hard fought battles, as follows: Yorkow, Fair Oaks, Peach

Orchard, Savage's Station, Malvern Hills, Wideoak Swramp, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Chancelorville and Gettysburg!}. At the last named battle, when the loyal Union army had overpowered the rebels, and they wrere retreating, Mr. Murray was hit in the left eye by a rebel bullet, which passed through behind the right eye, and flattened against the right cheek bone. The last man or men Mr. Murray saw, or ever will see on earth, were rebels, and they were retreating.

After a long period of intense pain and suffering, Mr. Murray finally recovered from the effects of his wound, and in 1867 he married Miss Hannah W. James, daughter of Samuel James, of Camden, New Jersey. Soon after the marriage he moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and lived there until the spring of 1876. Then he came to Auburn, and purchased the first farm in Auburn valley, north of the east and west center road, and now resides at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have four children - John A., Lizzie, Harry W. and Clyde.

Cassius N., eldest son of David N. Egbert, was born in Hudson, Ohio. In 1877 he came to Auburn, and in 1879 married Nora Cook, of Akron, Ohio. He has a shop at the corners where he manufactures wagons, buggies, cutters, furniture, of all *kinds; and, in fact, is an expert at most all kinds of mechanical work.

Frank D. Hollis was born in Claridon, Ohio, and is the second son of Stephen Hollis, of that township. In 1873 Mr. Hollis married Alice Deuel, daughter of Robert Deuel, formerly of Mantua, Ohio. They have one child - Lynn D. Mr. Hollis came to Auburn in the spring of 1879, and purchased the cheese factory a short distance east of the corners, known as the Crafts'

Education

The first school in Auburn was kept in the dwelling-house of David Smith, sr., in the summer of 1816, and was taught by Mrs. Betsey (Orton) Wilcox. She afterwards became the wife of David Smith, jr. The first winter school was taught by Jacob Van Duzen, in the winter of 1817-18. The first school-house built was located a short distance north of the corners, near where the dwellinghouse of Charles W. Stroud now stands. This house, as near as we can learn, was built in the summer of 1817. The first frame school-house must have been built in 1827 or '28, and was located on the west side of the Stale road, nearly opposite the one lately built, and was then, as now, district number one. The second frame school-house was built in 1834, and was located a half mile east of the corners, in what was then, as now, district number two. Nice frame schoolhouses have been built since, as they were needed.

School Districts

It appears from the township records of May 26, 1827 (and that is the earliest records we now have), that on that day the trustees met and altered the school districts, there being at that time only four districts in the township. Other districts were established from time to time, as the township increased in population, until May 30, 1838, when the trustees met and divided the township into nine school districts. School districts numbers five and nine have been divided and attached to other districts, so that at the present time there are seven whole districts, and two fractional districts in the township.

The inhabitants have always taken a lively inerest in educational matters ; securing, from time to time, the very best teachers in the district schools. Since the organization of the township, there have been several select schools taught by different teachers, among whom were: Job Fish, Wesley Vincent, Rufus Dutton, and W. N. White.

There has been quite a large number of scholars sent from this township to Hiram, Oberlin, Hillsdale, and other institutions of learning throughout the country, none of whom have as yet, to our knowledge, been elected governor of any State, or president of the United States; but we presume many of them have educations suitable for either.

Methodist Episcopal - Organized about 1821. Morgan Orton and George W. Antisdale wrere the most prominent male members in 1832. This church, at that time, had a very large membership. They built a church at the center about 1842, which was sold several years since and taken away. The town house now stands on the same ground. This denomination is still in existence, and now occupy the Free Will Baptist church, at the corners, where they have preaching each alternate Sabbath.

Close Communion Baptist - Organized in 1832. Elder S. Root preached the sermon, and Elder T. B. Stephenson gave the right hand of fellowship. Benjamin and Luke Barney were the most prominent male members of this church. The members of this church about 1840 were quite numerous, but at present there is no church organization of that name in the township.

Protestant Methodist - Organized in 1833. Elder Richardson and Dr. Bell, if we remember, correctly, were the officiating clergymen at its organization. Ashley Crafts, Alanson T. Crafts, Russell Hall, and Peter Silvernail, were the most prominent male members in this church. About 1834 they built a log church in the valley, and h£ld meetings there for several years, but no such denomination exists in the township at the present time.

Disciple - Organized by Elder A. S. Hayden in 1841. Ransler Granger, John Brown, and Jonathan Burnett, were the most prominent male members. The number of members belonging to this church at one time was between seventy and eighty. They built a church at the center about 1846, and occupied the same for many years, but no such church organization now exists in the township. Their church is kept in repair by the citizens of the township, and is used on funeral occasions. It is also used, at the present time, by the Universahsts, who have preaching there every other Sabbath.

Free Will Baptist - Organized in 1839 or '40. If we remember correctly, Elder Miller was the officiating clergyman at its organization. Ashley Crafts, Alanson T. Crafts, David Thomas, and Numan Wadsworth, were the most prominent male members. This denomination built a church at the corners in 1840, and have occupied it ever since. One year since they made a thorough repair, and it is now about as good as new. The number of members belonging to this denomination at the present time is sixty. Rev. L. D. Boynton, from Hillsdale, Michigan, is their present pastor, and preaches each alternate Sabbath.

We are now through with the history of the inhabitants, schools, churches, etc., of the township, since its first settlement. We have obtained our information from all available sources at our command at the present time, and have no doubt committed some errors, but hope they are few. As to the leading men who have resided in the township since its organization, the civil roster which follows will disclose.

Civil Roster

The following is a record of township officers elected in Auburn since its organization in the spring of 1817. All records being lost from the year 1817 to the year 1827, we are only able to give the names of the justices of the peace elected between those years. And it appears, from Uncle William Crafts' record, that at the first election, Bainbridge and Auburn were one election precinct, and voted together at the first election, which was held at the residence of Ethan Brewer, at Auburn corners :

1827. Justice, David Smith, sr. Served part of the term and resigned. The balance of officers elected that year were as follows: Trustees, Charles Hinckley, Joseph Webster, and Roger W. Antisdale ; treasurer, William Crafts ; clerk, Lorin Snow ; constable, William Squire.

1828. Justices, Austin Richards and Pardon Wilber ; trustees, B. F. Chamberlain, Pardon Wilber, and William Crafts ; treasurer, Elisha Gorham ; clerk, George Wilber ; constables, Ethan Brewer and George W. Antisdale.

1829. Trustees, Joseph Woodard, Lorin Snow, and Charles Hinckley ; treasurer, William Crafts ; clerk, George Wilber; constables. Ransler Granger and Hiram Canfield.

1830. Trustees, Zadock Reuwee, Elisha Gorham, and Daniel Wheelock; treasurer, Alvirus Snow; clerk, David Smith, jr. ; constables, Jonathan Burnett and Hiram Canfield.

1831. Justices, Austin Richards and B. F. Chamberlain ; trustees, Leicester Perkins, Ransler Granger, and Willis Woods ; treasurer, William Crafts; clerk, James T. Dutton ; constables, S. E Lacy and Jonathan Burnett.

1832. Trustees, Austin Richards, Thomas Page, and Zadock Reuwee; treasurer, William Crafts; clerk, Lorin Snow; constables, Hiram Canfield and J. C. Jackson.

1833. Trustees, Benjamin Barney, Daniel Wheelock, and Jonathan Burnett; treasurer, William Crafts; clerk, David Smith, jr. ; constables, Peter O. Hall and George Wilber.

1834. Justices, George Wilber and Austin Richards; trustees, Ashley Crafts, Stephen Oliver, and B. F. Chamberlain ; treasurer, William Crafts ; clerk, Jonathan Burnett ; constables, James C. Jackson and Eli H. McConoughey.

1835. Trustees, Charles Hinckley, J. C. Waterman, and Lorin Snow; treasurer, William Crafts; clerk, Hervey Harrington; constables, Jonathan Burnett and Ransler Granger.

1836. Trustees, David Stafford, Lvman Brew'ster, and David Smith, jr. ; treasurer, Hervey Harrington; clerk, William Crafts; constables, Ransler Granger and Jonathan Burnett.

1837. Justices, George Wilber and Austin Richards; trustees, David Smith, jr., Charles Hinckley, and Joshua Stafford; treasurer, A. E. Barnes; clerk, Hervey Harrington; constables, Ransler Granger and Jonathan Burnett.

1839. Trustees, David Smith, jr., Joshua Stafford, and Jude May; treasurer, A. E. fiarnes; clerk, Hervey Harrington; constables, Jonathan Burnett and Hunting Trescott.

1840. Justice, Austin Richards; trustees, Hiram Canfield, Jonathan Burnett, and Alfred Thompson; treasurer, A. E. Barnes; clerk, Hervey Harrington; constables, Anson Jackson and Henry Capron.

184a. Justice, Jude May; trustees, Jonathan Burnett, Hiram Canfield, and Joshua Stafford; assessor, David Smith, jr. ; treasurer, Leicester Perkins; clerk, David Smith, jr.; constables, Alonzo Miller and Leverett Barney.

1844. Trustees, Austin Richards, Hosea Barnes, and Lorin Snow; assessor, Jonathan Burnett; treasurer, David Robinson; clerk, James C. Jackson; constables, Tyrus Canfield and P. O. Hall.

1847. Trustees, C. Y. Capron, P. O. Hall, and J. C. Jackson; assessor, A. E. Barnes; treasurer, Jerome Hinckley; clerk, Charles O. Dutton; constables, David C. McConoughey and John H. Barnes.

1854. Justices, Calvin Brewster; trustees, Homer Mills, A. B. Hoard, and Henry May; assessor, David Robinson; treasurer, A. G. Etheridge; clerk, Nicholas Fish; constables, William C. Dutton and L. S. T. Brewster.

1855. Justice, Jonathan Burnett; trustees, Benjamin Crafts, Tyrus Canfield, and C. O. Dutton; assessor, David Robinson; treasurer, A. G. Etheridge; clerk L. C. Ludlow ; constables, L. S. T. Brewster, and Ezra Luther.

1858. Justice, Jonathan Burnett; trustees, A. A. Snow, E. Y. Hannutn, and George A. Peabody; assessor, Henry Capron; treasurer, John Spencer; clerk, W. C. Dutton; constables, James T. Dutton, and G. W. Stillwell.

1860. Justice, Henry Capron; trustees, Russell Hall, Francis Canfield, and Calvin Brewster; assessor, George Dutton; treausurer, John Mayhew; clerk, S. L. Wadsworth; constables, G. W. Stillwell, and A. J. Barney.

1861. Trustees, Francis Canfield, W. C. Dutton, and Benjamin Crafts; assessor, A. T. Wing; treasures, John Mayhew; clerk, S. L. Wadsworth; constables, G. W. Stillwell, and Ambrose A. Butts.

1862. Justice, Jerome Hinckley; trustees, Benjamin Crafts, Clement Messenger, and A. A. Snow ; assessor, Henry Rice; treasurer, Charles Stafford; clerk, W. N. White; constables, A. A. Butts, and George W. Stillwell.

1863. Justice, Henry Capron; trustees, George Squire, Clement Messenger, and Benjamin Crafts; assessor, F. Canfield; treasurer, Jerome Hinckley; clerk, W. N. White; constables, A. T. Wing, and S. L. Wadsworth.

1868. Justice, David W. Russ; trustees, A. T. Wing, Francis Canfield, and J. T. Dutton; assessor, B. F. Ludlow; treasurer, Jerome Hinckley; clerk, H. H. Rice; constables, Merritt Dutton and T. C. Bartholomew.

1869. Justice, George W. Wilson; trustees, A. T. Wing, G. A. Richards, and A. A. Snow; assessor, Charles O. Du^on; treasurer, W. N. White; clerk, George W. Stafford; constables. Byron W. Sprague and Merritt Dutton; real estate assessor, A. A. Snow.

1870. Justice, S. L. Wadsworth; trustees, A. A. Snow, G. A. Richards, and S. S. Eggleston; assessor, A. T. Wing; treasurer, W. N. White; clerk, George W. Stafford; constables. J. M. Boomer and Edwin Robinson, jr. ; real estate assessor, A. A. Snow.

1875. Trustees, H. E. Andrews, Clinton Stafford and E. S. Mills; assessor, Byron W. Sprague; treasurer, G. W. Stafford; clerk, C. A. Mills; constables, J. A. Stafford and Adolphus G. Canfield.

1877. Trustees, A. T. Wing, H. E. Andrews and T. F. Maynard; assessor, S. L. Costlow; treasurer, George W. Stafford; clerk, Byron G. Dutton; constables, E. Robinson, jr., and Homer M. Andrews.

The following are the names of persons who have held the office of postmaster since the organization of the township, viz.: David Smith, sr., Nathan

H. Ethridge, George Wilber, Hervey Harrington, George A. Peabody, John Mayhew, George W. Mayhew, Jerome Hinckley, George W. Butler, S. L. Wadsworth, and James A. Stafford. The two last named are the present postmasters. S. L. Wadsworth is postmaster at the corners, known as Auburn post-office, and James A. Stafford is postmaster at the center, known as Bridge Creek postoffice.

Rufus Dutton

son of James and Clarissa Dutton, was born in Norfolk, St. Lawrence county, State of New York, January 20, 1821. When six years old the family moved to Canandagua, New York, where they resided until the spring of 1829, when they moved to Auburn, Ohio. His boyhood here was spent at home on the farm until he was thirteen years old, during which time he enjoyed such limited advantages for an education as the common schools of the country at that time afforded. The summer of 1834 he was hired by Edson Kent, of Bainbridge, to w'ork on his farm for four dollars per month, and in the fall of the same year worked for his brother John, in a foundry in Leroy. The following spring he went to work with his father to learn the trade of a carpenter. He worked at th is trade with his father, except the winter months of the year, until he was twenty years old. During the winter of 1837 and '38, he, with three of his brothers, attended school in the "Ransom Brown district." The school was taught by the late Joseph W. Gray, founder and editoi of the Plain Dealer , of Cleveland. For three years and a half before this winter he had attended school less than four months in all. His father's circumstances were such at the time as to require all the assistance that both he and his older brother Charles, who also worked at the trade with him, could render. Gray taught the best school that at that time had ever been kept in Auburn. He and his brothers, besides doing the "chores" at home, walked, in going to and from school each <iay, over four miles, and when there was an evening school -a not unfrequent occurrence - over eight miles: yet he has often said that he never made more rapid progress in his studies than he did that winter.

The next season his father built a house for Dexter Pease, in Bainbridge. While at work on this house both he and his brother Charles hired to teach school for the winter. Rufus taught in the district west of Bainbridge center. The school-house was a log one, as was at that time nearly every dwelling house in the district, but there was then no scarcity of children in number for a school. His average attendance of scholars was forty-six. After working with his father the following spring and summer, he left home for the first time to attend a select school. He carried with him to pay board, tuition, and expenses for books, only twenty dollars, and that was borrowed money. A rather small sum it would seem at the present time to pay all the expenses of nine or ten weeks' schooling. But it did not cost as many dollars then as now to pay the expenses of an education. For board, lights, and washing, in a private family (a Baptist minister's), he paid one dollar a week. The school he attended was one opened that fall at Streetsboro, by Mr. and Mrs. Osgood. Mrs. Osgood was the daughter of Benjamin Barney, formerly of Auburn. The winter of 1839 and '40, he taught a school at Bainbridge center. A part of the following season he went to school again in Streetsboro, and the next winter taught in Euclid. After studying the next spring and summer with Mr. Abels, of Troy, he, with John Barnes, of Auburn, left his home September 20, 1841, intending to get situations as teachers, near Dayton, Ohio. Leaving Auburn Monday morning, they arrived at Dayton the Saturday following. Six days now would seem a long time to make that journey; but then there could be no traveling by cars, for there was not one mile of railroad in the State of Ohio. After remaining a few days in Dayton without making any great effort to find positions as teachers, they started with the intent of going to Kentucky, where they heard teachers were in demand and better wages paid than in Ohio. Arriving in Cincinnati early one foggy morning, they, while walking along the steamboat landing, came to a boat which had up steam, and sign out, "For St. Louis this morning at nine a. m." Dutton proposed to Barnes that they go to St. Louis. This proposition was made thoughtlessly, and as thoughtlessly accepted. Acting from the impulse of the moment, they, boy like, went on board, and being informed by the captain that they had barely time to get their trunks before the steamer would start, hastened to get them on board. The boat did not, however, leave # the wharf for more than twenty-four hours afterwards. This gave them time for reflection, and they would gladly have left the boat and resumed their journey to Kentucky, but they had paid their fare, and there was no getting back their money, and they had not enough to go without it; so they were reluctantly compelled to abide by the choice they had made.

Owing to the low stage of the Ohio river, the boat frequently getting aground, they were eight days in making the passage. From St. Louis they went to Alton, Illinois, and thence up into the country to the little village of Jerseyville. Here they remained a couple of weeks, Barnes working upon the farm, and Dutton at finishing the house of the landlord with whom they put up. After they had replenished a little their very scanty funds, and finding nothing to do that offered inducements to stay there, they retnrned to St. Louis, and then went by steamer to Memphis, Tennessee. Here they landed, November 19th, one thousand, three hundred miles, by river travel, from home, among entire strangers and with hardly a dollar in their pockets. They now began to feel that matters were getting a little serious with them. They started back into the country, on foot, to try and find situations, but in this were unsuccessful. Returning again to Memphis, they sought work there; for work they now must have. Memphis, at that time, was divided into two rival sections, viz: North Memphis, and South Memphis or Fort Pickering. Fort Pickering was preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of that part of the city, and, as was often the custom at the south, at entertainments of this kind, a barbecue was to be given. Finding the ground had been staked off for trenches, they proposed to the officer in charge of the preparations, to dig them for the moderate sum of one dollar and seventy-five cents. Their proposition was accepted with the generous offer to give them two dollars and fifty cents instead of the sum asked, and, in addition, the gentleman took them home to dine with him. A barbecue, as is well known, is made by roasting, whole, an ox, sheep, or hog, one or all, as the case may require. This is done by digging one or more trenches (in this case two were made) some twenty or thirty feet long, two feet wide at the top, and eighteen inches deep. The trenches are then filled with wood, which is burned until it becomes a mass of coals, when iron bars are laid across them, upon which the animals, after being killed and dressed, are placed, and turned from side to side until they are roasted. It will be apparent that from this method of cooking any degree of rare or well-done meats can be cut to suit the tastes of the most fastidious.

The next day after the barbecue, Dutton succeeded in hiring out, to work at his trade, after which, by pledging his trunk and clothes, he borrowed ten dollars which he let Barnes have to get back up the river with.

Remaining in Memphis until the next June, he was taken sick with the fever, but was fortunate enough to get away before he became too ill to travel. He was obliged, however, to leave the most of his earnings (one hundred dollars) to be collected for him by an agent, who, unfortunately never collected or paid to him a dollar. The journey up the Mississippi, and Ohio rivers was to him, sick as he was, a long and tedious one. The steamer was ten days in making the trip from Memphis to Beaver. Arriving at home, he was confined to his bed several weeks, and it was a long time before he fully recovered from the effects of the fever.

The following winter he, with two brothers and his sister, attended school at Cuyahoga Falls, and the next season he attended the Painesville academy, teaching part of the day to pay his expenses. The academy was then under the charge of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. Mrs. Stevens formerly taught the school in Streetsboro.

The winter of 1844 and 1845 he taught a select school at Auburn corners, and in the following spring went again to Memphis to try and get what was due him for work done three years before. But the company he had worked for, in the meanwhile had failed, and the hotel upon which he worked, and which, when he left Memphis, in the summer of 1842, was the best and most fashionable hotel in the city, had been turned into a negro pen for keeping slaves to be sold at auction. The contrast presented by these poor creatures in the large dining-hall of the hotel, covered with dirt and filth, waiting, like so many cattle - and, apparently almost as unconscious - their time to be brought to the auction block and sold, compared with what was taking place in the same hall three years before, when the elite of the city, with all the display and parade so common then at the south, came there to dinner, can be better imagined than described.

Returning to Auburn, Dutton remained there only a few weeks, when, on account of his ill-health, he left for the east, and, after spending a few weeks at Saratoga, went to New York city. Arriving there, with only a few dollars in his pockets, he had thought of making a trip to sea, but he soon satisfied himself, from what he saw, that the life of a sailor, even for a single short trip, would not be to him agreeable, so he had sought again, what he had found before his never-failing friend in time of need, viz: work at his trade. This he succeeded in getting, taking work by the piece, as he was unable, from ill-health, to do a full day's work. He remained in the city, working, as he was able, at his trade, until the fall of 1846, when, after obtaining one of the two scholarships of the University of the City of New York, belonging to the Mercantile Library association, of which he had become a member, he offered himself, and, passing examination, was admitted into the sophomore class. The first two years of his course he supported himself by working at his trade out of college hours, studying at night and early morning to keep up with his class. The last year of his course his brother George loaned him money to pay his way. Graduating in the summer of 1849, he returned to Auburn, when, after spending a few weeks with his friends, he went to Dayton, Ohio, to take the position as principal of one of the public schools. He taught there in the public, and, after- wards, in a private school, until the close of 1851. Some of his friends were at that time talking of going to Oregon to settle, and desiring to get more accurate information of the country than was then to be obtained from published accounts, he volunteered to go there and bring back a report. Resigning his position, he made preparation for the journey, intending to be absent ten months.

Leaving Dayton April 1, 1851, he went by stage to Cincinnati, thence by steamer to Independence, Missouri, where he purchased a horse, and rode across that part of the State known as the Platte purchase, to St. Joseph. Here he joined in company with two young men, and with them purchased an outfit for their journey across the plains. The people of the border, who furnished "emigrants with outfits," were a set of sharpers, resorting to almost any kind of deception or fraud to sell their goods. Many an unfortunate emigrant, after spending all his money for an outfit, found, to his sorrow, after being out a few days on the plains, that both the team and wagon which he had been induced to purchase from the representations of persons pretending to speak from experience, were unfit and worthless for the journey. None but the soundest and hardiest animals were suited for the journey, as they had to depend entirely for food upon the grass found along the way, which was often both inferior in quality and deficient in quantity. In consequence of deficient food, the teams, after a short time, became poor and weak, and it became necessary to lighten the loads in every way possible, even by throwing away of the outfit ever)' pound that could be possibly dispensed with. As was natural, people were very reluctant to part in this way with goods which they believed would be important to their comfort at the end of their journey. Thus, it often happened that goods were carried too long for the strength of the teams, and not thrown aside until after it was found impossible to transport them further. As a consequence, the road or pathway, after the first one or two hundred miles, was strewn along the entire length with articles which had been thrown aside, from time to time, as the teams became too much worn out to draw them further. The road sides often presented some very interesting sights, from the great variety of things found lying along the way. A complete printing press was found standing by the road side near the top of the Rocky mountains. Some enterprising editor had, doubtless, purchased it, with the intention of "starting a paper on the Pacific coast," and, after hauling it over the long distance from the States to the Rocky mountains, found it impossible to carry it further. Even within seventy miles of the settlements in Oregon, on the Cascade mountains, five cooking stoves, seven wagons, with their loads, were found in one place. The year before, many, said not to be less than fifty thousand, started to cross the plains. That year the cholera broke out among them. Many died, and their graves were numerous along the road side. In most cases, the graves had been dug into by jackalls. The small party Dutton traveled with most of the way - nine in all - made the journey without the loss of any of their number, though only five entered the settlement in Oregon together. The sufferings of the preceding year prevented many from attempting to cross this season, so that the journey was made with comparatively small loss or suffering. Only eighteen emigrants were killed by the Indians,* this year, of all that started on the journey. As Dutton was going to Oregon solely to see and examine the country, and expected to return in the fall to the States, he desired to make his journey across the plains as short as possible, so that he would have more time for that purpose in the settlements. To expedite the journey, he, with his party, would travel with one train a few days, then push on to another in advance, and so on until they got in advance of all the others, so that his small party traveled alone over the most dangerous portion of the road, from Soda springs across the Blue mountains, and finally five of their number, whom he described in his letter to his friends in Dayton as "wayworn travelers, descending from the western slope of the Cascade mountains, and coming out of their dense forests, saw for the first time for ninety-six days cultivated fields, houses, and other evidences that they were now in a civilized country." Dutton remained nearly four months in Oregon. During this time he made a journey through the Willamette valley on both sides of the river of that name, and went as far south as the Umqua river. Sickness prevented him from going to Washington territory, which was included in his plans.

Having remained in Oregon as long as he intended, he left Portland for Astoria, by steamer, November 25th, and thence to San Francisco. After remaining in San Francisco four days he left in the steamship " Golden Gate," her first downward trip, for Panama. The voyage lasted twelve days, including twenty-four hours stoppage at Acaculpa, to take on coal. From Panama he, with some other passengers, walked to Gorgona, from which village they made the passage in a row-boat down to Chagres river, a distance of sixty-five miles to Chagres. The railroad across the Isthmus was not then completed. From Chagres he wrent to Havanna, and thence to New Orleans. At New Orleans he engaged passage to Cincinnatti. The winter of 1851 and '52 was very severe, and the Ohio river froze over nearly the whole length. A few miles above Cairo the steamboat was stopped by the ice. As it seemed probable the boat would be detained there for a long time, Dutton, with two others, undertook a journey by land, of over three hundred miles, to Louisville, Kentucky. After they had walked two days, through deep snow, they stopped for a day; made a "yankee jumper" and purchased a horse and part of a harness, with a small rope for lines. Thus equipped they completed the journey to Louisville in ten days from the time they left the steamer. From Louisville he reached Cincinnati by way of Lexington and Covington, the river being still frozen over. From Cincinnati to Dayton by railroad (which was completed during his absence). He arrived in Dayton the last day of February, after an absence of ten months. In 1852 he, with Mr. Stevens, formerly his teacher in the Painsville academy, took charge of the agricultural department of the works of E. Thresher & Co., now Barney, Smith & Co., of Dayton. Mr. Stevens retired from the business in 1854, when Dutton purchased the entire interest of this department, and in 1855 built a nanufactory for the purpose of making mowers and reapers. He commenced breaking ground for his work August 20, 1855. On the first day of December he had his buildings completed, machinery put up, and one hundred men at work. The previous year he had made, for John S. Wright, of Chicago, four hundred reapers, known as the "Atkins' Reaper." For the harvest of 1856 he made one thousand of these machines under contract for Wright. He made, on his own account, for the harvest of 1857, eight hundred, an*d the same number for the harvest of 1858. Wright failed to meet his obligation as agreed under his contracts for 1855 and '56. Partly owing to this, and partly owing to his losses in financial crisis of 1857, he was compelled to sell out his business in Dayton.

He spent a portion of the winter of i860 and '61 in Washington during the exciting times preceding the war. In the winter of 1862 he went to New York city, and made arrangements there with R. L. Allen & Co. to introduce into the market his (Dutton's) new mower, known as the Clipper mower. He remained with the Allens until the fall of 1866, during which time there were made and sold several thousand of his machines. This machine being now well known and established, there was organized the Clipper Reaper and Mower company at Yonkers, New York, for the purpose of making them more extensively and better supplying the demand. This company, during the time Dutton was connected with it until 1873, manufactured under his supervision about eighteen thousand Clipper machines. These were sold throughout the United States and Canada; also quite a number found market in Europe and South America. Those farmers who have used the Clipper mowers are well aware of its superior qualities. The Clipper was not financially a success, and, after Dutton left it, the stock continued to decline until it has become valueless. After leaving the Clipper, he has been engaged in perfecting a mower, known first as the New Clipper, and afterwards as the Haymaker, and now as the New Champion. The Champion company, of Springfield, Ohio, having bought the right, they are now manufacturing them extensively at their works.

In connection with his business, Dutton has been quite an experimenter, having given careful attention to perfecting his machines, striving always to have them occupy the front rank among machines of this kind. In pursuit of this object, he has obtained between thirty and forty patents on his inventions. But, like too many inventors, others have received much of the fruits of his labors.